Certificate of correction



Patented 28, 1928.

`UNITED sTArss PATENT oFFiCE;

JOHN A. EVANS, OF TYRONE, PENNSYVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE P & M COMPANY, OF

CHICAGO, ILL'INOES, A. CORPORATION OF ILLINOI S.

BAIL ANCI-IOR.

ApplicationV filed February 26, 1927. Serial No. 171,247.

This invention relates to rail anchors and has for its general object the provision of an improved rail anchor device adapted to en- `gage opposite edges of the rail base and to maintain a strong grip thereon by spring pressure;

A specific object of the inventioii is to provide an improved rail anchor device having` rail gripping` portions so disposed with relation toia point of bearing of the device against. the rail that the said end portions have a differential gripping action on the rail base, When the anchor device is driven transversely of the rail to its applied position.

vice of the above character in which the parts are so disposed with relation to each other and to the base of the rail that niovement of the anchor transversely of the rail toward its applied position so distorts the anchor that the stress in the metal exerts a resilient pressure for maintaining the device in firm gripping engagement with the rail base. In 'this connection, the invention contemplatesjas one specific embodiment, 'a one-piece spring grippinvg anclior lin which tlie stress in the, metal eXerts a pressure in a direction tending lto force the anchor device transversely of the rail in a direction'to maintain a i'irm grip on theV rail base and to also hold the. anchor in its normal gripping position on the rail against any tendency that the momentary pressures cident to the passing of traffic, may have to loosen the grip of the device on the rail.

A further specific object of the invention is to providean improved one piece spring anchor, in wliich the body and one end thereof are so flexed during-its application to a rail, and the flexed end is so disposed with relation to theA rail base that tlie tendency Whicli the device has to return to theposition from Which it was sprung, exerts -a pressure transversely of the rail to force a jaW portion at the opposite endvof the anchor further upon the rail base and to also exert a spring pressure tending to rock the said'jaw end of the anchor about an axis extending longitudinally of the rail to in crease its grip on the rail base.

The invention contemplates such other objects as will appear from the detailed de- Another object is toprovide an anchor deand other disturbing infiuences, iii-` .scription of the specificv embodimentof the. inventionshown in theA accompanying drawing. o

In the drawing:` f

Fig. 1 is a plan view ofthe railroadrail and a portion of a cross tie showing the rail anchor device,lconstriicted in accordance with my invention, applied to the base flangeof.

the rail, in position to bear against a vertical' face of the cross tie; i

' Fig. 2 is a cross section through the rail base and showing the anchor devicein a position assumed during its application :toa rail. o Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing in dotted lines the initial position of the ,alfclior before the same is driven transversely of the rail base, and showing `in full lines the applied position of the anchor', and (v Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of the rail anchor device removed from the rail base.

The principles of.v the invention may bei embodied in aiichor devices of various forms of wliich is designated by the reference char-,-

acter 12. The end portion 10 is formed'with a relatively sharp bend, the extremity of which provides ajaw- 13 which hooks over and bears against the inclined top surface 14 of the rail base 15. The said jaw 13 is preferably formed at such angles that the under surface 1G thereof will bear flat against the i nclined Vsurface of the rail base. This f particular character of engagement may, ofv

course, be varied to suit the desires of the user. The eXtremity of the jaw 13 isvpref-4 erably formed .with a. roundedcam surface 17 Which bears against the upper longitudinal edge 18 of the rail base during the in-` itial driving of the anchor towardvits applied position, that is to say, toward the full line position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing. The end 11 of the resilient bar is somewhatf longer than the jaw 13 and forms a spring arm 19, the inner surface 20 of which bears against the upper longitudinal corner 21.0f

the rail base, both during the transverse applying movement of the anchor and When the anchor is in its applied position. The body portion 12 of the anchor is bent intermediate the said jaW and arm to provide a bearing surface 22 Which bears against the bottom surface of the rail base at a point nearer to the javv 13 than to the spring arm 19.

VVith the above arrangement of the end bearings 16 and 20 With relation to the intermediate bearing 22, the movement of the anchor in a direction to force the jaW 13 upon the inclined top surface 14 of the rail base,

` tends to rock the body of the anchor about theA bearing surface 22 so as to force the inclined surface 20 of the spring arm 19 downvvardly across the upper edge 21 of the rail base. It Will be noted also that by reason of the fact that the bearingpoint of the arm 19 is a greater distance from the point of bearing 22 than the bearing point of the jaW 13, a differential leverage is eXerted by the said aW 13 and arm 19 at their points of bearing on the rail base, With respect to the intermediateA bearing 22. As the anchor is driven further upon the rail, the angle formed by the portions A and B of the body and the angle formed by the portions B and C are both increased by the fleXing of the bar so as to exert spring pressure both Vertically and transversely of the rail.

In applying the anchor to a rail, the spring,

arm 19 is first hooked over one flange of the bodily transversely of the rail by strilringv rail base, as indicated in Fig. 2 of the draW- ing. The jaW end 10 is then raised and theV body is shifted slightly toward the right until the cam surface 17 of the jaW 13 engages the upper longitudinal corner 18 of the rail base.

This position of the anchor is indicated inv dotted lines in Fig. 3 ofthe drawing, in Which position it Will be noted that the bearing 22 is in engagement With the bottom face of the rail base. The anchor device is then driven the jaw end 13 of the anchor so as to force the javv 13 upwardly on the inclined surface 14 of the rail base. `This inWard movement of the jaW 13, by reason of the difierential arrangement of the jaw 13 and the springI arm 19, With relation to the bearing 22, tends i to rock the body of the anchor about the bearing 22 so as to move the spring arm 19 doWn- Wardly across the edge 21 of the rail base. The inner surface 20 of the arm 19 functions as a cam during the said doivnward movement of the arm so as to flex the arm 19 out- Wardly With respect to the rail. This outp Ward flexing of the arm, as before referred to,

increases the angle formed by the portions B and C of the yoke. The inward movement of the jaW 13 also fleXes the body portion 12 so as to increase the ane'le formed by the portions A and B and, to some extent, distorts the jaw 13 With relation to the body. The

arm 19 is preferably/ so disposed that When it is in its normal applied position it extends at substantially 45 With respect to the vertical edge 23 of the rail base. The tendency Which the body portion 12 and the arm 19 have to return to the'position from Which they have been sprung, eXerts spring pressure Vertically and transversely of the rail so as to press the bearing surfaces 10 and 22 into firm gripping engagement With one flange of the rail base and Vto exert pressure transversely of the rail in a direction tending to force the jaW 13 invvardly on the rail base.

VVit-h the above arrangement and operation, the anchor device Will automatically assume its normal gripping position after it has been subjected to some Vdisturbing influence. If the end 11 of the anchor, by reason of it being embedded or pressed down- Wardly on the ballast of the road-bed, is forced upvvardly With relation to the rail base, in a manner to relieve the gripping pres- 'sure on the corner 21 of the rail base, the

spring tension of the anchor, together With the inclined surface 20 of the arm, Will, upon the removal of the disturbing influence, cause the anchor device to be moved back into its normal gripping` position and thereby prevent the jaW 13 from baoliing off the rail base.

The particular angle at Which the arm 17 is formed With relation to the body portion 12 of the anchor, also simplifies themanufacture of the device in that the bend 11 may be formed With dies of such character as to prevent the body 12 or the arm 19 from springing away from the die, after the bending pressure has been relieved.

I claim:

1. rail anchor oonsisting of a rail base embracing member provided With a bearing for engagement With the bottom surface of the rail base and provided With gripping portions for engaging the rail base at opposite sides of the rail; the said gripping portions being differentially disposed With relation to said bearing against the bottom and-at different angles relative to the bottom surface of the rail, Whereby movement of the rail embracing member transversely of the rail. to its applied position so stresses the said member as to eXert spring'force lengthwise of said member tending to move the anchor in a direction to increase its grip on the rail.

2. A rail anchor consisting of a rail base embraoing member provided With a bearing for engaging the bottom surface of the rail and provided With gripping portions for engaging the rail base at opposite sides of the rail; the said gripping portions being differentially disposed With relation to said bearing against the bottom-and at different angles relative to the bottom surface-of the rail, Whereby movement of the said rail embracing member.transversely of the rail to its applied position so stresses said member as to exert spring force both vertically of the rail and 1,es2,21s

longitudinally of said member ina direction tending to force the-anchor into tighter engagement With the rail base.

3. A rail anchor comprising a body provided With a portion for bearing against the bottom surface Vof the rail base and With in- Wardly projecting portions Which project over the upper surfaces of the rail base and grip the rail base at opposite sides of the rail, the said gripping portions being differentially disposed With relation to the point of bearing against the bottom surface of the rail and at different angles relative to the bottom sur- I face of the rail base,- Whereby the movement of the body transversely of the base to its applied position thereon, so stresses the body and gripping portions thereof as tol eXert spring force both vertically of the rail base and lengthwise of the body in a direction tending to force the anchor into tighter engagement With the rail base.

4. A rail anchor comprising a body formed at one `end With a jaW for bearing against the top surface of a rail base, at the other end With a spring arm disposed at an angle of substantially 45 relative to the vertical edge of the rail base and adapted to bear against the upper longitudinalcorner only of the rail base at the other side of the rail, and formed intermediate said javv and arm With a portion for bearing against the bottom surface of the rail base at a point nearer to said aW than to said arm, \vhereby the movement of the body transversely of the rail in a direct-ion to force i said jaW inWardly on the top surface of the rail base rocks the anchor about-said bottom bearing and forces said arm into spring gripping engagement With the said upper longitu dinal corner ofthe rail base.l

5. A rail anchor comprising a body formed at one end With a jaW for bearing against the top surface of a rail base, at the other end With a spring arm disposed at an angle to bear against the upper longitudinal corner only of the rail base ot the opposite side of the rail, and formed intermediate said and arm With a portion for bearing against the bottom surface of the rail base at a point nearer to said jaW than to said arm, Whereby movement of the body transversely of the rail in a direction to force said jaW inWardly on the top surface of said rail base so distorts the body and said arm portion thereof as to exert spring force tending to move said jaw inWardly on the rail base and to hold said jaW and said bottom bearing in firm gripping engagement With the top and bottom surfaces respectively of the rail base.

6. A rail anchor adapted to be driven in the direction of its length from one side of a rail into gripping engagement With the rail base and comprising a bar formed at one end With a portion for gripping the top and bottom surfaces of the rail base at one side of the rail and at the other end With an inwardly projecting arm for bearing at the other side of the rail against a longitudinalcorneronly of the rail base, and eXerts spring pressure transvcrsely of the rail in a direction tending to increase the grip on the rail base.

7. A rail anchor adapted to be driven in the direction of its length from one side of a rail into gripping engagement Withthe rail base and comprising a bar formed at one end With a portion for gripping the top and bottom surfaces -of a rail base at one side of the rail and at the other end With an invvardly projecting arm for bearing at the other side of the rail against the upper longitudinal corner V only of the rail base and eXerts spring pressure transversely of the rail in a-direction tending to increase the grip on the rail base.

8. A rail anchor adapted to be driven in the direction of its length from one side of a rail into gripping engagement With the rail base and comprising a. bar formed at one end With a j aw formed With a bearing surface for engaging the top surface of the. rail base at a a point remote from the longitudinal edge tliereof and provided at its ext-remity With a cam surface, at the other end With an iii- Wardly extending arm for bearing against the upper longitudinal corner only of the rail base Vat the otherside of the rail,vand provided intermediate said jaav and arm With a portion for bearing against the. bottom of said rail; the said jaW and arm being differentiallyI disposed With relation to said bottom bearing, Whereby said arm is moved dovvnwardly across said longitudinal corner of the rail base and fleXedoutWardly relative to said rail by the movement of said cam surface across said upper longitudinal corner of the raili base. p v 9. A rail anchor adapted to be driven in the direction of its length from one side of a rail into gripping engagement With the rail base and comprising a bar formed at one end With a jaW having a flatl bearing surface for engagement With the top surface of the rail base and provided at its extremity With a cam portion, at the other end With an invvardly extending spring arm for bearing 'against the upper longitudinal corner only of the rail base, at the other side of the rail, and provided intermediate said jaW and arm With a portion for bearing again-st the bottom of the rail; the said jaW and arm being dilferentially disposed With relation to said bottom bearing, Whereby the movement 'of the anchor transversely of the rail rocks the anchor about said bottom bearing to move said arm dovvnwardly across the edge of the rail and fiexes the body and arm to exert spring pressure, vertically of the rail and transversely of the rail in ,a direction tending to increase the said vertical pressure.

1,0. A rail anchor comprisinga yoke membe moved to t-heir gripping positions by movement of the yoke transversely of the rail, one of said jaWs being disposed to exert its grip vertically of the rail and the other of said jaws being disposed to exert spring pressure transversely of the rail in a direct-ion to increase said vertical grip.

11. A rail anchor comprising a yoke member fornied With a portion for bearing against the. bottom surface of a rail base and With jaWs for engagement With the opposite edges of the base and adapted to be moved to` their gri'pping positions by movement of the yoke transversely of the rail, one of said jaWs being disposed at an angle tothe other jaW and so positioned With respect to the portion for bearing against the bottom surface of the rail base` that transverse movement of the yoke subjects it to a rocking moven'ient about an aXis extending longitudinally of the rail and thereby positions said other aw to exert spring pressure longitudinally of the voke in a directon to increase the grip of the anchor on the rail.

12. A rail anchor comprsing a yoke member formed With a portion for bearing against the bottom surface of a rail base and With jaws for engagement With opposite edges of the base and adapted to be moved to their gripping positions by moveinent of the yoke transversely of the rail, one of said jaivs being disposed at an, angle to the other jaW and so positioned With respect to the portions for bearing against the bottom surface of the rail that said transverse movement of the yoke subjects it to a rocking Inovement about ,an axis extending longitudinally of the rail and thereby positions said other jaW to eXert spring pressure both vertically and longitudinally of the yoke.

13. A rail anchor comprising a. yoke formed With a portion for bearing against the bottom of a rail base and With jaws for gripping the top port-ion of the base fiange; one of said jaWs being disposed at an angle of substantially relative to the vertical edge of the rail base and adapted to eng-age a longitudinal corner of said base to exert spring pressure transversely of the rail.

14. A rail anchor comprising a yoke formed With a portion for bearing against the bottom surface of a rail base and With jaWs disposed at different distances from the bottom bearing portion and at an angle to each other, Whereby movement of the anchor transver-sely of the rail base rocks one of said jaivs down- Wardly into gripping engagement With the rail base; said last mentioned jaw being con- 'fined in its engagement With the said base to the upper longitudinal corner thereof and adapt-ed to exert spring pressure transversely of the rail tending to increase the grip of the outer j aw on the rail.

15. A rail anchor eomprising a. yoke forlned With a portion for bearing against the bottom of a rail base and With jaWs disposed at different distances from the bottom bearing portion and at an angle to each other, Whereby movenient of the anchor transversely of the rail rocks one of said jaWs downxvardly into gripping engagenient With the rail base; said last mentioned jaW being disposed at an angle to the top surface of the rail base and is confined in its engagement with said base to the upper longit-udinal corner thereof, Whereby the doWnWard movement of the said jaw fleXes it outWardly and upwardly relative to the said longitudinal corner of the railV base so as to prevent movement of the anchor 111 a direction to loosen its grip.

JOHN A. EVANS.

CERTIFICATE OF GORRECTION.

iatent Ne. 1,682218, Granted August 28, 1928, to

.JOHN A. EVANS.

t is itereby eertified that error apyears in the erinted specifeatien of the above numbet'ed patent requirng eera'eetien as eiews: Page 3, line 1, claim 2, after the wetd "memeer' strike out the wertis "iii a direetion tending to foree the aneier inte tigttei" efigagenient with the mil base" and insert instead "tending to vmove tii anehor in a direetien te itiei'ease its grip mi tite rail"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this eet'teetion thereiri that tite same may conform to the record ef the case in the Patent Gffiee.

Sigfied and seaied this 2nd day o? October, A. D. 1928.

M. J, Mame, (Seal) Aeting Geminssioner ef Patents. 

